Obituaries

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Sandra Hochwart

Sandra Hochwart

Feb 19, 2026

Sandra Hubbard Hochwart (Sandy), beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, 86, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Fairwinds Sand Creek (A Leisure Care Community), Idaho Falls, ID. The family would like to thank the wonderful care and friendship she received from the Fairwinds staff and community during her stay.

Sandy was born on November 7, 1939, in Rigby,...

Connie Millard

Connie Millard

Oct 29, 2025

Connie Millard, 93 of Rigby, Idaho passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

Born June 25, 1932, in Franklin, Idaho, Connie was the third of seven children of George Lynn and Ila (Christensen) Oliverson. She grew up on the family farm, where early mornings, hard work, and a deep love of horses shaped her life. As a teenager, her poise...

Megan Eliza Bennett

Megan Eliza Bennett

Jun 9, 2026

Megan Eliza Bennett, 29, passed away peacefully in the tiny home she always dreamed of owning, on the evening of June 9, 2026.

Born on April 10, 1997, Megan lived a life full of faith, love, kindness, charity, and heartwarming goofiness. Megan had dreams. She was able to fulfill a handful of those dreams, such as living in Hawaii (for a...

Martin Anthony Newton Sr.

Martin Anthony Newton Sr.

Jun 7, 2026

Martin Anthony “Tony” Newton, Sr., age 76, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away on June 7, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and devotion to his family.

Born on July 8, 1949, in Hollywood, Maryland, Tony lived a life defined by resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to those he loved. At the age of 19, he was drafted into the...

Garland David Kisner

Garland David Kisner

Jun 5, 2026

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Garland David Kisner passed away peacefully at EIRMC on Friday, June 5, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born October 12, 1946, in Philippi, West Virginia, to David Garland and Mary Eleanor Elliott Kisner, the third of eight children. 

Garland was a true jack of all trades. Throughout his life he worked as...

David Don Burtenshaw

David Don Burtenshaw

Jun 3, 2026

David Don Burtenshaw, 62, passed away at home in his sleep in the early morning of June 3, 2026.

David was born on April 4, 1964, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was the seventh of eight children born to Don and Beverly Burtenshaw. He was brought up in Mud Lake, Idaho where he grew up learning to love the family business...

Shirley Ann Holm

Shirley Ann Holm

May 30, 2026

Shirley Holm, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to many, passed away on May 30, 2026, at the age of 91. She was born on November 8, 1934, in Annis, Idaho, and lived a life defined by faith, creativity, and tireless devotion to those around her.

Shirley married the love of her life, DelRay Holm, on June 23, 1950, beginning a...

Larry Jay Fackrell

Larry Jay Fackrell

May 30, 2026

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Larry Jay Fackrell, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. After a courageous six-week battle with cancer, he departed this life in a manner that reflected how he lived: with faith, dignity, peace, and unwavering strength.

Larry was born on December 6, 1949, to Ivan and Norma Fackrell....

Charles Merrill Wilcox

Charles Merrill Wilcox

May 29, 2026

Charles Merrill Wilcox, 89, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away May 29, 2026, at Gables of Idaho Falls.

He was born September 3, 1936, in Rigby, Idaho, to Louis Allan Wilcox and Evron Dansie Wilcox. He was raised and educated in Rigby, graduating from Rigby High School. While attending college, he also worked for Westlake Cattlemen’s Association at Henrys Lake Idaho. He...

Claris Andersen Jones

Claris Andersen Jones

May 28, 2026

Claris Andersen Jones passed away peacefully and returned to her heavenly home on May 28, 2026.

Claris was born on December 20, 1929, in Richmond, Utah, at the home of her grandmother, Merrill, to Varnell Anderson and Vermont Merrill Anderson. She was raised on her family’s farm in Arco, Idaho, alongside her three younger sisters, Ardeth, Renee, and Nola.

She attended school...

Randall Ray Peterson

Randall Ray Peterson

May 28, 2026

Randall Ray Peterson, 74, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away peacefully at his home on May 28, 2026.

Randall was born on April 9, 1952, in Rigby, Idaho, to Dwain Peterson and Neva Peterson (Byington). He was raised in Rigby and graduated from Rigby High School. He later attended some college studying art and spent his life rooted in the community he...

John Robert Newman

John Robert Newman

May 28, 2026

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John Robert Newman, 80, of Ririe, passed away peacefully at home early Thursday morning, May 28, 2026, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Arlene Newman, and family.

John was born on September 7, 1945, in Salt Lake City, the son of Lenox Elmo and Carrie Newman...

William Yates Mercer

William Yates Mercer

May 20, 2026

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William “Bill” Yates Mercer 86, of Menan, Idaho passed away peacefully on May 20th, 2026, in Idaho Falls, ID. Bill was born at home November 20, 1939, to Charles and Geneve Mercer of Lehi, Utah.

Bill was a proud graduate of Lehi High School, class of 1959 where he played basketball and football. Unsurprisingly,...

Raymond Manuel Rodriguez

Raymond Manuel Rodriguez

May 20, 2026

Raymond Manuel Rodriguez was born on May 9, 1973, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Jesse and Clara Rodriguez. He passed away on May 20, 2026, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC).

Raymond attended school in Idaho Falls. While still in high school, he welcomed his first daughter Brittney. He later had his second daughter, Julia. In 2002, Raymond married Tiffany...

Sheryl D. Baird

Sheryl D. Baird

May 20, 2026

With hearts full of love and sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved mother, Sheryl D. Baird, lovingly known as Nana, who left us on May 20, 2026, at the age of seventy-six.

Sheryl was born on October 2, 1949, in Riggins, Idaho, to Leslie Page Duncan and Cleo Elva Smith (Duncan). She loved the outdoors from an early age...

Marie Browning Strong

Marie Browning Strong

May 19, 2026

Marie Browning Strong, 89, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away on May 19, 2026, at Idaho Falls Community Hospital surrounded by family.

She was born on February 9, 1937, in Rigby, Idaho, to Lyle Frederick Browning and Velma Charlotte Harmon Browning. She grew up in Rigby and graduated from high school there.

Marie was married to Lawrence L. Strong. Throughout her life she...

Richard Reed Hawkes

Richard Reed Hawkes

May 18, 2026

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Richard Reed Hawkes, age 85, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away at home on the morning of May 18, 2026, with his family by his side. 

Richard was born on November 18, 1940, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Percy Smart Hawkes and Ida Weyerman. A few years after the death of his father at age 5,...

Rodney Eldon Eckman

Rodney Eldon Eckman

May 18, 2026

Rodney Eldon Eckman passed away May 18, 2026, and was born in Boise ID on April 8, 1937, to Rodney Sheldon and Helen June Hansen Eckman. His sister Sharon was born about a year later.

They lived in Boise for 10 years then moved to Horseshoe Bend. His father worked at logging there and Rod had his own business hauling garbage...

Sherry Dian Wilson

Sherry Dian Wilson

May 16, 2026

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Sherry Dian Wilson, age 82, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was born on December 12, 1943, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Romane Humphrey Cole and Harriett Alyce Rigsbee.

Sherry grew up in Fort Wayne alongside her three siblings—her sister Cathy, and brothers Mike and Marty. Some of...

Doyle Gene Barney

Doyle Gene Barney

May 15, 2026

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Doyle Gene Barney (74), of Grant, passed away in a car accident while taking his dear wife to lunch on Friday, May 15, 2026. 

Doyle was born to Ruth Gohr and Gene M. Barney on July 6, 1951, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Doyle was the fourth child born, followed by four younger siblings. 

Doyle attended...